Iodine recipe & ingredients

Iodine major sources, iodine importance, iodine effects of shortage, foods high in iodine shared on page.

Major sources: Seefood, especially shelfish and seaweed, and iodized salt. Levels in land-grown food vary widely according to natural soil level variations. Milk is a source where iodine disinfectants and milk promoters are used in dairies.

Importance: PNeeded by the thyroid gland to produce the thyroid hormone, which regulates more than 100 enzyme systems, involving the metabolic rate, growth, reproduction and many more essential functions.

Effects of shortage: The thyroid gland (at the front of the throat) swells to try to trap more iodine from the bloodstream, forming a goitre. The metabolic rate slows, leading to sluggish physical and mental activity, weight gain, a thick neck, coarsening features and dry hair. Severe lack manifests as mental deterioration in adults and causes low intelligence in babies.